I must confess I don’t know many Slovenians. So, when I picked up 3 young men from the seaport last week aboard the launch “Swift” I became concerned. Leaving the dock they immediately began singing with all their hearts, at a volume that was spooking the local gulls and terns, and with tears openly streaming down their faces, I had to ask if they were OK. In broken English, as my Slovenian is non-existent, I was able to piece together that they were filled with joy at arriving in such a beautiful city with the most remarkable people and the best ostrige in pivo (oysters and beer) in the whole world. So, I had to ask why the sad song? Confused, they said it was a joyous old folk song, at least I think that’s what they said. It was about “Marko skače” a person named Marko jumping on a lawn. If there is anyone who knows Slovenian culture, I’d appreciate knowing why the tears over jumping on the grass!
